The Return of Fall Crafts
This fall, the return of safely organized and distanced fall festivals bring back a well-missed tradition from its 2020 absence. Two craft shows with differing approaches will offer guests a variety of ways to browse crafts and support the arts.
On September 25-26, Armonk Outdoor Art Show welcomes visitors back in person. After a virtual 2020 art show due to COVID-19, the Armonk Outdoor Art Show returns this year to its rightful place – the spacious tree-lined vista of North Castle Community Park.
The expansive field will allow for visitors to browse the booths of 160 exhibitors comfortably. Says Executive Director Anne Curran: “The layout of artists’ booths has changed to provide wide aisles so that visitors can comfortably stroll the field. There will be attention to health and safety protocols based on the latest CDC guidance and municipal direction.”
The juried artists from the U.S. and Canada range in any number of specialties, including painting, sculpture, wearable art, fine crafts, photography and more. Free family-friendly activities include take-away art kits, an artist-led arts activity at ArtsWestchester’s ArtsMobile, a scavenger hunt of clues within artist’s displays, an interactive art installation and more. Not only do purchases support the artists, but net proceeds of the show also support the North Castle Public Library’s educational programs and Armonk Players theater group.
Meanwhile, on October 2-3, the Westchester Craft Crawl is well-equipped to take COVID-19 precautions into account. In fact, the outdoor craft event came about as a response to the pandemic. The unique format of this craft show functions as an outdoor studio tour of the works of more than 45 professional artists.
For this “crawl,” guests traverse Westchester towns to visit four different Westchester locations positioned in Ossining and Croton-on-Harmon. Each “stop” in this artist-organized event will host several artisans whose exhibited works include clay, wood, fiber, metal, jewelry and mixed media. Founder Leigh Mickelson Taylor says that they will have space to spread out at each of the four locations for safe shopping. A guest “passport” will make prizes available for guests that visit all four locations.
A version of this article first appeared in the September issue of ArtsNews, ArtsWestchester’s monthly publication. ArtsNews is distributed throughout Westchester County. A digital copy is also available at artsw.org/artsnews.
About ArtsWestchester
Founded in 1965, ArtsWestchester is New York State’s largest private not-for-profit arts council. The leading funder and advocate for the arts in Westchester and Rockland Counties, ArtsWestchester works to create an equitable, inclusive, vibrant and sustainable community in which the arts are integral to and integrated into every facet of life. Building on its 60-year legacy, ArtsWestchester advances arts and culture by providing grants, bringing artists into schools and community centers, advocating for the arts, and building audiences through diverse marketing initiatives. ArtsWestchester enriches the lives of everyone in the community and operates a multi-use gallery and home for the arts at 31 Mamaroneck Ave. in White Plains, New York.